Noncobeosive alcohol



Patented Sept. 26, 1933 NQNGOR SIVE ALCOHOL Frank a. liiicmermott, Claymont, nel assignor, by mesne assien to E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Comp, W mcorporation of laware Application September 11, 1928 Del a Serial No. 305,317

5 Clai.

This invention relates to a non-corrosive alcohol, and more particularly, to a non-corrosive alcohol that is substantially free of discoloration.

It has been proposed to use sodium benzoate and soaps for the production of non-corrosive alcohols but these compounds have not been entirely satisfactory for the reason that discoloration of the alcohol results.

An object of my invention is an alcohol that will not corrode the metal containers even upon longstanding. A further object of my invention is a non-corrosive alcohol that is free of discoloration. Other objects will appear as the description proceeds.

I have found that certain of the alkali salts are particularly useful for the production of a non-corrosive alcohol. I have found furthermore that sodium carbonate has distinctly practical advantages for this purpose in that its solubility is'so limited that even if a great excess is accidentally added, it will dissolve only to the extent of approximately 0.03%, which is negligible from a commercial standpoint. Other alkali salts which I have found useful because of their solubility are potassium carbonate, acetates, and lactates. or any alkaline compound that will give a pH of approximately 7.5 in alcohol, although when these compounds are accidentally added in excess they may dissolve to an extent suflicient to seriously interfere with the use of the alcohol for some purposes. For this reason, and for most purposes, I preferably use sodium carbonate.

The alcohol may be saturated with the sodium carbonate by adding an amount of an aqueous solution of the salt, or by standing or shaking with an excess thereof. It has been found, however, that when an excess isused it does not remain present in the alcohol, as the alcohol decanted from the excess of carbonate has been found to be still non-corrosive. It will be understood that my invention relates to alcohol of full strength and that it is not intended to prevent the corrosion of diluted alcohol and that no claim is made therefor. The following test will illustrate one embodiment of my invention: One cc. of a saturated solution of sodium carbonate was added to 250 cc. of regular, com-' pletely denatured alcohol. Metal strips were suspended.- in this solution for a period of more than seven months and were still free of rust. Control strips suspended in solutions of alcohol to which this alkali solution had not been added rusted promptly.

It will be understood, of course, that my invention is not limited to the foregoing compounds,

as any salt which gives a distinctly alkaline reaction in an aqueous solution of a pH of 7.5 or higher will be satisfactory as indicated in the foregoing.

As many apparently widely different embodi- 6o ments of this invention may be made without departing from the spirit thereof, it is to be understood that I do not intend to limit myself to the specific embodiments thereof except as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. The process for preventing the corrosion of metal when in contact with full strength commercial alcohol which comprises incorporating in the alcohol in an amount suiilcient to render the alcohol non-corrosive to the metal, a member of the group consisting of sodium carbonates, sodium acetate, sodium borate, sodium lactate and corresponding potassium salts.

2. The process for preventing the corrosion of metal when in contact with full strength commercial alcohol which comprises incorporating in the alcohol a salt of the group consisting of sodium carbonates, sodium acetate, sodium borate, sodium lactate and the corresponding potassium salts, the salt being present in an amount. equivalent to a 0.03% solution of sodium carbonate.

3. The process for preventing the corrosion of metal when in contact with full strength com- 86 mercial alcohol which comprises incorporating in the alcohol an alkaline reacting substance soluble in the alcohol to the extent of about 0.03% only and which alkaline reacting substance will .render the alcohol substantially non-corro- 0 sive to the metal.

4. The process for preventing the corrosion of metal when in conta'ct with full strength alcohol which; comprises incorporating in the alcohol sodium carbonate in suiiicient amount to render the alcohol substantially non-corrosive to the metal.

5. The process for preventing the corrosion of metal when in contact with full strength alcohol which comprises incorporating in the alcohol about 0.08% of sodium carbonate.

FRANK A, McDERMO'I'I.

ens 

